Kian
| Kian | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Base Information | |
| Classification | Herbivore/grazer |
| Terrain | Unknown |
| Locomotion | Walker |
| Size | 3.0 m |
| Speed | Unknown |
| Strength | Unknown |
| Social Structure | Unknown |
| Weapons | Unknown |
| Armor | Unknown |
| Source | |
| Homeworld | Prilissa (Spinward Marches 3035) |
| Multi-world | Yes |
| Canon | Yes |
| Extinct | Extant |
| Reference | Journal of the Travellers Aid Society No. 9 |
The Kian is a creature lifeform that is not a sophont.
- It is a Macropodoid species that most closely resembles a Terran Kangaroo or Ostrich.
- It is of particular use as a Riding Beast.
Description (Specifications)
Though they resemble Terran ostriches and are often described as a bird, kian are actually bipedal mammals. Kian fill many of the same functions as Terran Horses and have been exported throughout the Marches almost as widely.
Image Repository
Physiology & Ecology
Externally, the Kian is a large bipedal creature with a long neck, short tail, and no other limbs (the remains of an atrophied pair of fore-limbs can be found in some species). Kians are thickly furred, their coats showing distinctive color patterns of brown, gold, lemon-yellow, and black. A kian's legs are powerfully muscled for fast movement over long distances.
Kian's hearing and eyesight are extremely good, reflecting their predator-laden environment of origin.
Life Cycle & Reproduction
Much like the odd Terran Platypus, they are one of the few mammalianoids that both secrete lactation and bear eggs. Litters consist of several offspring, generally two to five pups and mating is decidedly polygynous in nature. Females outnumber males by at least 5 to 1 in most natural groupings. In domesticized captivity, much larger ratios can be maintained.
Diet & Trophics
They are herbivore/grazers and will any number of grasses and grains. They are not known for pickiness and will also gladly consume fruits.
History & Background (Dossier)
The sturdiness of their overall frames has made them a frequent choice for use as mounts and pack animals on the planets where they occur.
Derived Products (Goods & Services)
The Kian is a large flightless animal that originated on Prilissa (Spinward Marches 3035) and is used on many worlds as a beast of burden or for riding.
- Kian are used as ceremonial mounts for the Imperial Household Cavalry.
Travellers' Aid Society Advisory
The Travellers' Aid Society (TAS) classifies the Kian as non-threatening to most sophonts and makes no special advisory regarding this creature.
Worlds & Sectors (Astrography)
This creature can primarily be found in the following areas:
Charted Space:
Homeworld: 1105
The homeworld of this creature is:
World Listing: 1105
Significant communities of this creature are known to be found within the following systems and worlds:
References & Contributors (Sources)
- Loren Wiseman. "The Besitary." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 09 (1981): 36-43.
- Marc Miller. The Spinward Marches Campaign (Game Designers Workshop, 1985), TBD.
- Martin Dougherty. Behind the Claw (Mongoose Publishing, 2019), .Martin Dougherty, Neil Frier. Behind the Claw (Steve Jackson Games, 1998), .
- Martin Dougherty. The Spinward Marches (Mongoose Publishing, 2008), .
- Signs & Portents - Issue 89 - Kian (Creatures) February 2011
- Gregory P. Lee. Cirque: The Usual Suspects (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), .
- Roger E. Moore
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science